Pro-life groups say they will file a federal lawsuit against the city on Friday if they do not receive an official response on whether they will be allowed to hold a prayer vigil outside the Pepsi Center during the Democratic National Convention.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said with one month until the convention, his group must have an answer or take the matter to court.
City Attorney David Fine, however, told the Denver Daily News yesterday that pro-life groups will be allowed to use the public sidewalks around the Pepsi Center to hold the prayer vigil and that federal and local security will likely “bless” the demonstration.
“We’re confident that (Rev. Mahoney’s) group will be able to have their vigil on the public sidewalks in front of the Pepsi Center and that there will be no need for courts,” he said last night.
An attorney representing Mahoney’s group confirmed Fine’s statements.
“(Mr. Fine) indicates that the city is willing to work with our group,” said California attorney Brian Chavez-Ochoa.
Not buying it
But when Mahoney was informed by the Denver Daily News of Fine’s statement, he expressed little confidence that the vigil would not be contested.
“I’m not as confident as the city attorney is … as professional and as good as our working relationship is with David Fine, his confidence does not relieve the concerns we have,” said Mahoney.
If the City Attorney’s Office provides Mahoney with an official letter of intent to allow the demonstration, then a lawsuit will not be filed, he said.
In a letter to Fine dated yesterday, Mahoney said his group would like to hold the prayer vigil outside the Pepsi Center on the Saturday of the convention.
“Our plans include hundreds of Christians peacefully kneeling in prayer around the Pepsi Center and leaving roses to remember the children that have died from abortion and the women that have been bruised and diminished,” read the letter. “We would also be praying for Sen. (Barack) Obama to stand for human rights and social justice and end this tragic war against America’s children.”
Violating rights?
Mahoney said his group’s First Amendment rights will be violated if they are unable to assemble outside the Pepsi Center. He said the same about delays in the permitting process.
“Sadly, this delay is no different than denying our free speech rights,” Mahoney said in his letter to Fine.
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains said that they agree with First Amendment rights, but will work as hard as it can to make sure women are able to receive the services that the organization provides, including abortions.
“If they choose to protest outside of our building or in front of the Pepsi Center, we will do everything in our power to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff members,” said Katie Groke, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
Roses
In addition to the Christian Defense Coalition, Survivors, Operation Rescue and other pro-life organizations are planning to make up about 1,400 people taking part in the prayer vigil. Dubbed A Prayer For Change, the groups plan to place 1,400 roses on the ground to “honor the children who have died from abortion and the women who have been diminished and wounded through abortion.”
